Little hands are getting busy in the kitchen as Dubbo families count down to Father's Day.
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Gowrie NSW Dubbo Early Education and Care Centre has put baking gifts on the agenda for the community it is helping through the city's COVID outbreak and lockdown.
With 80 per cent of its children not coming through the doors at the moment, it is catering for both those learning at home and at the centre.
Centre manager Jessica Dawson said the team had put together take-home packs for families to bake goodies at home, following along with an online tutorial.
"So the children will be able to do the cookie experience while watching the educators that they would normally interact with, while being connected with their families and making it a family experience, which we thought was the best way to keep everyone connected and active as a family and a community," Ms Dawson said.
"Because obviously everyone's really struggling at the moment, so we're trying to be as supportive as we possibly can."
On Friday educators were also doing an interactive Father's Day story time via Zoom, and cards and other ideas also went out in recent days.
Ms Dawson said their weekly online sessions and other materials were all part of staying connected and keeping the program active.
The team had received encouraging feedback.
"I think even giving them [parents] ideas on how to make play dough and really affordable, easy solutions to do at home, scavenger hunts...," Ms Dawson said.
"I think they really appreciate the fact that we have them in our thoughts and we still appreciate those little kids need some active guidance from us while being at home, and parents are trying to work at home.
"It can be that half-an-hour downtime where the parent has the full focus of someone else, supporting the children's learning and development during this time."